7 Queer Superheroes That Were Straightwashed for the Screen

The sexualities of these super-powered characters ended up on the cutting room floor...

Although there are so, so many queer superheroes in comic books, unfortunately, we still live in a world where we can't have nice things and LGBTQ+ people have to literally fight for on-screen representation. Even if fans are incredibly vocal about wanting to see their fave queer characters in movies and TV shows, they still get their sexualities straightwashed, like these 7 characters...

Valkyrie (Thor: Ragnarok)

A lot of noise was made about the fact that Valkyrie, who made her big screen debut in Thor: Ragnarok, was going to have a scene confirming her bisexuality. (Supposedly the scene was even filmed!) However, somewhere between here and there, the scene never made it into the film. 

Stakar (Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2)

There was so much buzz that the latest installment of the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise would have the first queer character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. (Notice a trend here? It’s not the last.)

When the movie came around, however, whatever queer subtext was promised was SO subtle, it went over almost everyone’s head. The best guess? Sylvester Stallone’s character, who has some canon gender identity issues. But as is common in comics, calling the character transgender is a BIG stretch. 

Mystique (X-Men)

This reoccurring villainess of the X-Men franchise has been a powerhouse of a character. Currently played by Jennifer Lawrence, the blue, shape-changing mutant has had her fair share of romantic entanglements in the movies.

However, nothing has been mentioned of Mystique’s bisexuality or of one of her most meaningful relationships with Destiny, the psychic woman with whom she raised fellow mutant Rogue with. 

Constantine (Constantine)

John Constantine is from the darker, more esoteric edges of the DC universe. The character has been adapted twice: once in the movie starring Keanu Reeves, and once in The CW property (formerly NBC), Constantine, played by Matt Ryan.

While the Keanu version never touched his bisexuality, the NBC version sparked controversy when they first promised they would talk about it, then retracted it. The character now appears in The CW's DC Arrowverse, where they proudly showcase his bisexuality.

Harley Quinn (Suicide Squad)

Fandom knew Harley Quinn was into Poison Ivy as more than a friend waaaay before canon caught up, but the relationship was finally confirmed in 2005 and the character has been bisexual since. Which makes it even more disappointing that DC followed the abusive, Harley/Joker storyline down that unfortunate hole in 2016's Suicide Squad. (We want the Birds of Prey film already!)

Margot Robbie was a bright light in the dismal Suicide Squad, and she deserves her own showcase. 

Deadpool (Deadpool)

Deadpool was going to be the first LGBTQ+ Marvel superhero on screen (sound familiar?), with fans hoping the openly queer character would be super pansexual in the 2016 movie! Well...not quite.

Still, the hyper-sexual movie was very even-handed with Wade’s attractions, and actor Ryan Reynolds wants Deadpool to have a boyfriend in the future, so maybe we aren’t out of luck...

Ayo (Black Panther)

Ayo is an out and proud lesbian in the comics, but when it was reported there was gay scenes in Black Panther, Marvel nixed the reports saying there’s be no lesbian action in Wakanda. *sigh*